Post by MALCOLM XERXES™ on Oct 4, 2004 11:16:09 GMT -5

MON. OCT. 4/2004/12:22 E.S.T.

On SAT. OCT. 2/2004, I attended a fundraising event for a play titled, where I had occasion to meet with MR. CAMERON HAWKINS, former Bassist/Lead Vocalist of FM™, whose “HEADROOM” LP was tremendously influential upon my own development as a Progressive Rock drummer.

MR. HAWKINS was now fronting a trio called THE HOT KNIVES™, which consisted of a killer Tenor Saxophonist, a Conga/Bongo Percussionist, & himself on Bass & Lead Vox, accompanied by beat box & triggered keyboard loops that had presumably been programmed by himself.

The last time I had seen MR. HAWKINS was in a mid-1980’s videoclip for “JUST LIKE YOU (AGAIN)” (which had featured a buxom, pink-haired woman whose tresses would have made RAPUNZEL envious, NASH THE SLASH & MARTIN DELLER), & I had never attended an FM™ concert, so I was well pleased to find that MR. HAWKINS is not only pleased to talk about his work in that group, but that he is also “a very beautiful cat, man”, utterly without pretense, arrogance or boorishness, unlike so many lead singers, particularly those who once enjoyed a high level of fame, popularity & critical acclaim.

I told MR. HAWKINS of my love for the FM™: “HEADROOM” LP & my own preference for the work of MR. BEN MINK to that of NASH THE SLASH, & asked him whether it would ever become available on CD.

MR. HAWKINS thanked me & informed me that the master tapes had been “lost” for the entire FM™ discography, so the only way that those recordings would eve r be made available on CD is if they were to be mastered from LP copies, which he does not currently have time to do himself, as he is running a software company (not the only musician I know who does so!) & playing in a Blues band.

He asked me what instrument I play, & when I told him Kit Drums & Percussion, he asked what sort of music I like to listen to, so I told him KING CRIMSON™, YES™, U.K™, to which he responded “all the classics”, then asked me what music I am usually called upon to play, to which I replied “Pop, Funk & Jazz”.

He asked me whether I am currently gigging with anyone, so I told him of my ongoing commitment as well as my latest venture with the Percussion Ensemble, which commences rehearsal next SAT. in preparation for 2 shows @ the end of OCT. 2004, & he gave me his card & asked me to let him know of when & where I will be playing next, or if I would be interested in jamming with him sometime.

Post by ShowbizPRgirl on Oct 4, 2004 14:37:19 GMT -5

That's awesome news, Malcolm! Gosh, it's so nice when you meet someone with so much class and talent who shares your passion for the same kind of music -- and who wants to hear you play. Wow!

I have the same sort of connection with a new friend I made about six weeks ago. His name is Jeff and he's a jazz/blues/folk/rock musician with a regular gig at a downtown bar/restaurant. During our very first chat after one of his shows I mentioned that I was in a band almost 20 years ago and he eagerly suggested that we should perform a few duets together for the patrons sometime. I thought he was just being complimentary but, apparently, he really meant it because, last Thursday I went down to have a late meal and he unexpectedly called me up to sing a couple of songs with him. Jeez, I was petrified but I still managed to get through it without embarrasing myself...too much.

Jeff was impressed enough with the quality of my voice to suggest that we do it again sometime soon. What a sweetie he is to want to share the spotlight with someone old enough to be his mother *cringe*. He really is a musical genius, Mal. He can play several instruments and has such as wonderful, laid-back style. If you're ever in Ottawa I'll try to introduce the two of you.

Post by MALCOLM XERXES™ on Oct 5, 2004 7:43:09 GMT -5

That's awesome news, Malcolm! Gosh, it's so nice when you meet someone with so much class and talent who shares your passion for the same kind of music -- and who wants to hear you play. Wow!

I have the same sort of connection with a new friend I made about six weeks ago. His name is Jeff and he's a jazz/blues/folk/rock musician with a regular gig at a downtown bar/restaurant. During our very first chat after one of his shows I mentioned that I was in a band almost 20 years ago and he eagerly suggested that we should perform a few duets together for the patrons sometime. I thought he was just being complimentary but, apparently, he really meant it because, last Thursday I went down to have a late meal and he unexpectedly called me up to sing a couple of songs with him. Jeez, I was petrified but I still managed to get through it without embarrasing myself...too much.

Jeff was impressed enough with the quality of my voice to suggest that we do it again sometime soon. What a sweetie he is to want to share the spotlight with someone old enough to be his mother *cringe*. He really is a musical genius, Mal. He can play several instruments and has such as wonderful, laid-back style. If you're ever in Ottawa I'll try to introduce the two of you.

KJC

TUE. OCT. 5/2004/08:50 E.S.T.

KJC,

Thank you very much.

Congratulations, I’m impressed that you managed to overcome your stagefright sufficiently that you accepted JEFF’S offer.

I don’t get to Ottawa quite as often as I might like, but I shall redouble my efforts to return there.